The Memo

Archives for November 2016

Mississippi introduced a new statewide organization on Tuesday designed to help communities improve the reading abilities of their citizens.

The state joins the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading program, joining more than 40 states and almost 300 communities across the nation. The program is designed to place a greater emphasis on the literacy of low-income students by pulling together existing resources in local communities.

Education reporter Emma Kent (10:18) joins Derek and Brad on today’s show to provide more information about the new initiative, how it will look and the impact it can have.

Oxford/ Lafayette County is one of two Mississippi locations already participating in the program and will serve as a model for others. With Tuesday’s announcement, the goal is to get at least 10 Mississippi communities into the program. Tupelo, New Albany and Corinth are among those cited as strong possibilities.

Emma (16:03) also talks about Shannon High School, which has made great gains in its graduation rate and improved its school ranking from a D to a C. Officials credit hard work, a culture shift, a focus on helping freshmen and increased training, among other factors.

Caleb Bedillion (20:13) discusses Tuesday’s unanimous vote by the Tupelo City Council to fly Mississippi’s bicentennial banner — and not the state flag — at the new police headquarters for the next year.

Long-time Daily Journal editorial page editor Joe Rutherford will retire on Wednesday after 44 years at the newspaper. Joe is among the few people still at the Daily Journal who worked with George McLean — the paper’s legendary publisher and one of Tupelo’s most prominent civic leaders. He also has come to serve as the Daily Journal’s unofficial historian — a rich source of information about the paper, Tupelo and Northeast Mississippi and how each got to where they are now.

On today’s episode, Derek and Brad have a long conversation with Joe about the Journal, the city and the region. Joe talks about George (10:38) and Anna Keirsey McLean (16:10), school desegregation (3:52), balancing differing opinions on the editorial page (20:36), the extended fight for improving the state’s roads (35:25) and more. He also talks about growing up in Kossuth and Ripley, about his dad (24:01) — long-time coach and principal Odell Rutherford — and about attending Ole Miss shortly after it was integrated (5:13). He shares why McLean’s vision for the Daily Journal meant so much to him and how it motivated him throughout his career (33:48).

Joe shares 44 years of memories, insight and perspective. If you want to better understand the Daily Journal, Tupelo and Northeast Mississippi, you really need to listen to today’s show.

Volunteers have been busy preparing for the Salvation Army’s annual Thanksgiving Day luncheon. The event will be held on Thursday from 10:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. and is free and open to anyone in need. It is expected to feed about 3,000 people, and more volunteers are needed to help on Thursday.

Daily Journal food editor Ginna Parsons (14:48) joins Brad and guest co-host Emma Kent on today’s episode to talk about the luncheon, efforts to prepare for it and how you can volunteer.

Also, Daily Journal Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison (23:15) talks about efforts by state leaders to advocate for a tax on internet transactions. Both Democratic Attorney General Jim Hood and Republican Governor Phil Bryant — who disagree on most issues — are calling for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule in favor of Colorado’s attempt to collect such a tax.

Bobby discusses why state leaders want the tax and what options are available if the Supreme Court does not side with them.

Bobby (27:58) also looks at U.S. Senator Roger Wicker’s role as chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the work he did to help Republicans maintain a majority in the Senate.

Meanwhile, Daily Journal photographer Lauren Wood (32:26) talks about her recent experience photographing a New Albany couple that raises llamas. That photo essay can also be found in today’s paper.

Reminder: Due to the Thanksgiving holidays, today’s show is the only episode that will be released this week. We will resume our normal schedule next Monday, Nov. 28.

Efforts to redevelop part of Tupelo’s West Jackson Street are entering a new phase of activity.

Infrastructure has been installed in the first of three new subdivisions to be constructed on the corridor. This week, the City Council approved a plan to install infrastructure on the second subdivision. Private developers will then build houses on those lots.

Daily Journal local government reporter Caleb Bedillion (4:28) joins Derek and guest co-host Leslie Criss on today’s episode to provide an overview of the West Jackson project. Caleb discusses what the plans call for, what has been done and what comes next.

Also today, Daily Journal health reporter Michaela Morris (9:43) looks back at the indoor smoking bans that were adopted by four Northeast Mississippi communities a decade ago. At the time, Starkville, Tupelo, Mantachie and Oxford were among the first in the state to pass smoking ordinances. Today, more than 130 Mississippi towns have such policies.

M. Scott Morris (23:23) reviews “Arrival.”

Derek (28:55) has the highlights of the entertainment scene – a piano extravaganza, Tune In to Tupelo, Willie Nelson and more.

The Mississippi Department of Education released achievement gap data last week. It looks at the percentage of students in different subgroups (by race, income, gender, etc.) who scored proficient on state tests and the gaps between those groups.

Three of the widest achievement gaps in the state are in Northeast Mississippi – Oxford, Tupelo and Booneville. Leaders in those districts said they are working to close their gaps. They also said the data is somewhat misleading because it fails to show that a lot of their students are close to proficient, even if they haven’t reached that mark. That makes the gap look larger than it actually is, they said.

Daily Journal education reporter Emma Kent (6:47) joins Derek and Brad on today’s show to explain the achievement gap data, why it’s important and how districts are planning to address it.

Also on today’s show, Daily Journal Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison (14:44) talks about Gov. Phil Bryant’s state budget proposal that was released on Tuesday. It places a priority on restoring state reserves and gives about $16 million in additional funding to public school districts. The proposal also includes big cuts to the state education department and to public radio and television. Bobby talks about how much weight Bryant’s proposal will carry as lawmakers begin the work of crafting next year’s budget.

Photographer Adam Robison (25:22) stops by to discuss his photo essay on a local bicycle mechanic.

Tupelo High School is trying a new learning approach with several of its classes this year.

The school is one of many across the country using blended learning courses that combine online education and more traditional teacher instruction. In the hybrid model, students take some of their coursework online but also meet with teachers for tests and some face-to-face guidance. THS currently has six such courses and plans to add more in the future.

Daily Journal education reporter Emma Kent (11:19) joins Derek and Brad on today’s episode to explain what blended learning is, why it appeals to Tupelo Schools leaders and the impact it could have for the school’s students.

Also on today’s show, Daily Journal health reporter Michaela Morris (23:35) discusses the future of Obamacare in a Donald Trump administration. The Republican Congress is likely to move quickly on changing the healthcare law, but the question is how will it look when they finish. Michaela recently spoke with Mississippi Republican Senator Roger Wicker and has more details.

The man selected to fill a new community outreach position created by Tupelo Mayor Jason Shelton is getting down to work.

Marcus Gary has been on the job as the city’s community outreach coordinator for a little over a week. The position was created in response to unrest and protests over the June shooting death of Antwun “Ronnie” Shumpert by a Tupelo Police officer. It is intended to serve as a point of contact between local communities and city leaders.

On today’s episode, local government reporter Caleb Bedillion (5:48) joins Derek and Brad to talk about Marcus Gary and the city’s vision for the new role. Gary is known locally as a member of the 1992 Tupelo High state championship football team. He noted that the city has strong concerns and that those concerns need to be heard.

Caleb also talks about another city post that was recently filled. K.C. Grist was named Tupelo’s neighborhood coordinator. In that position, she will work on a grassroots level with the city’s 20 neighborhood associations.

Also on today’s show, M. Scott Morris (15:51) reviews “Doctor Strange.” And Derek (25:37) has the highlights of the entertainment scene – a list that includes several plays, performances by Mac McAnally and Afroman, an arts showcase and more.

Election Night 2016 dragged into the early hours of Wednesday morning, and today we discuss what happened.

Perhaps the most significant story for Mississippi is that the election of Donald Trump as the country’s next president could set several political dominoes in motion in the Magnolia State. Gov. Phil Bryant has been rumored to be a possible pick on Trump’s cabinet. If that happens, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves would move into the governor’s mansion and the dynamics of upcoming statewide elections would be dramatically different.

Daily Journal Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison (11:06) discusses what may happen to Mississippi’s governor. That discussion is part of an election night roundtable that also included William Moore, Brad Locke and Chris Kieffer. The group also talks about the national presidential election, as well as the contests for Mississippi’s First Congressional District and a spot on the state Supreme Court.

Also on today’s show, local government reporter Caleb Bedillion (24:25) joins Derek and Chris to talk about Mississippi cities that have opted to stop flying the state flag. Caleb recently spoke with leaders of those cities and shares what he learned.

Caleb also talks more about Trent Kelly’s re-election to represent Mississippi’s First Congressional District and about Kelly’s now firm grip on that seat.

The severe drought in Northeast Mississippi is causing serious problems for many homes. Much of the area sits on clay soil, which shrinks in dry weather. That can cause foundations to shift and houses to crack.

In Tupelo, the greatest risk is on the west side of town, and the threat is even greater if you have a lot of trees and bushes planted near your home. So what can you do to protect your house?

Daily Journal home and garden editor Ginna Parsons (6:58) joins Derek and Brad on today’s podcast to discuss the problem and how big of a hazard it poses. She also has advice from experts on preventative steps you can take.

Also on today’s episode, education reporter Emma Kent (13:22) looks at efforts by area school districts to improve attendance. School attendance is important throughout the year, but it is particularly important in October and November. The state uses attendance figures during those two months to determine how much funding various districts receive.

Daily Journal Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison (23:09) talks about what state lawmakers may do on taxes. Both House Speaker Philip Gunn and Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves want to move the state toward taxing consumption and away from taxing income. The question is how far they will go during the upcoming Legislative session that begins in January.

A group of Mississippi Senate Democrats is proposing to repeal the largest tax cut in the state’s history and direct those funds to roads and bridges.

Daily Journal Capitol Bureau chief Bobby Harrison (12:30) joins Derek and Brad on today’s episode to talk about the plan. While that proposal is unlikely to pass, Bobby looks at the bigger issue – the state’s need to find funds for road and bridge repairs and what the Legislature is likely to do to address that.

Also on today’s show, Daily Journal news editor and longtime Cubs fan Justin Whitmore (0:23) joins Derek and Brad to discuss Wednesday night’s World Series victory by the Cubs.